it, helping keep the trunk cooler and reducing temperature fluctuations.
Why Fruit Trees Are Often Whitewashed
You may notice this practice particularly in orchards.
Fruit trees can have relatively thin bark, making them more susceptible to sun and temperature-related injuries. Whitewashing can be especially useful for young trees or older trees whose bark has recently become exposed because of heavy pruning or loss of foliage.
In colder climates, the technique can also help reduce damage caused by sunny winter days followed by freezing temperatures at night.
Can White Paint Help With Pests?
There may be another benefit.
Sun-damaged bark can become more vulnerable to wood-boring insects. By reducing sunburn, whitewashing may indirectly help protect the tree from some of the problems that follow bark damage.
Traditional whitewashing has also been used as a pest-deterrent technique, although it shouldn’t be considered a guaranteed way to eliminate insects.
